Dundee only signed Jack Hendry from Wigan Athletic in the summer but they are already facing a real challenge to hold onto the centre-back by the end of the January transfer window.

Because The Mail reports that Southampton sent scouts to watch the classy defender in action as Dundee lost 2-0 at home to Celtic on Boxing Day. The Saints’ own 5-2 thrashing at Tottenham suggested that a new centre-half would be welcome at St Mary’s – particularly with the wantaway Virgil Van Dijk omitted for the second game in a row.

As reported by The Mail, other Premier League clubs in the shape of Newcastle United and Crystal Palace have also expressed an interest in recent weeks.

But it was Dundee’s opponents on Boxing Day that appeared to have been leading the chase for Hendry. Per the Scottish Sun, the league leaders were expected to wrap up a deal to bring the 22-year-old to Parkhead in January but it appears now that a deal is in doubt due to the huge volume of interest – up to 18 clubs were watching Hendry on Tuesday.

And even if Celtic did win the race, it is tempting how long he would remain at Parkhead. Due to the financial nature of the Scottish top flight, talented young players often see Celtic as a launchpad for their career rather than a long-term destination – think Van Dijk, Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele (below).

With no shortage of Premier League clubs keen on Hendry, it perhaps makes sense to hone his talent more under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and earn a move to England in a year of two’s time.

After all, such a career path didn’t go too badly for the aforementioned Van Dijk, linked with a £60 million move to Manchester City two-and-a-half years after leaving Celtic, as reported by The Telegraph.

Danny Owen

Daniel is a Journalist graduate from Leeds Trinity University and is generally obsessed with everything football related. Daniel watches everything from Augsburg in the Bundesliga to Vitesse in the Eredivisie with as much La Liga as possible thrown in for good measure.